Sources: Damian Lillard Met with Blazers Owner to Discuss Future

Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard met with team owner Paul Allen to gather an understanding of the organization’s direction, league sources told ESPN.

The two met discreetly for approximately one hour in Allen’s office at Moda Center before hosting the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, sources said. It was the first home game Allen attended in 2018.

Lillard, who will turn 28 on July 15, requested the meeting in part to reaffirm his commitment to the only professional franchise he has suited up for, but also to gain assurances that the organization was just as devoted to expeditiously crafting a title-contending team, sources said.

According to sources, the meeting was held without knowledge of anyone else in the organization. Allen notified the Trail Blazers’ basketball operations and business branch afterward.

In the weeks leading up to the meeting, Allen feared Lillard would request a trade, sources said, but a trade request was not made. The two-time All-Star made it clear, though, that he has championship aspirations and wanted to fulfill those lofty goals during the remaining years of his prime window.

Sources: Suns to Meet with Jimmer Fredette

The Phoenix Suns will meet with former BYU star and Sacramento Kings first-round pick Jimmer Fredette on Thursday, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.

Gambadoro reports the Suns could sign Fredette through the rest of the season. The Suns currently have an open roster spot.

The 30-year-old guard is currently playing for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. On Tuesday, the Sharks were eliminated from the postseason. Fredette averaged 36.9 points per game for Shanghai, the league’s top mark.